Chapter 057: Better You Die Than Me Die

With this curiosity in mind, Shao Yun entered Jean's office.

"Is there something you need?" Shao Yun stood in front of Jean and got straight to the point.

Jean motioned for him to sit down. Once he was seated, she began to explain.

"I have already conveyed Mondstadt's stance to Snezhnaya," Jean said, her gaze firm as she looked at Shao Yun.

Her voice was calm, but every word carried a resolute determination, vowing to stand on the same side as Shao Yun and his companions.

Shao Yun's heart stirred, and he had already guessed most of the situation.

"From now on, Mondstadt will no longer welcome the Fatui and will classify them as an illegal organization," Jean continued. "I have issued orders to immediately expel Snezhnaya's diplomatic envoy, allowing only private trade activities between the two nations."

This decision essentially severed diplomatic relations with Snezhnaya, with the addition of private trade activities serving as a subtle hint to Snezhnaya: Mondstadt welcomes business, but don't try to scheme against us.

"Thank you."

Hearing Shao Yun's brief response of two words, Jean gently rubbed her temples, seeming a bit tired. She looked at Shao Yun, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"No, I should be the one thanking you," she said. "Without your help, even if the Knights could hold off the Abyss Order, we would likely be powerless against the Fatui."

Shao Yun listened to Jean's words of gratitude and waved his hand modestly. "I should still thank you. You've saved me a lot of trouble. You must be under a lot of pressure too, after all..." His words conveyed understanding and concern for Jean.

Jean smiled wryly and shook her head. "I really can't think of how to thank you. You don't want fame or money, so all I can do is ensure the safety of you, Lumine, and Miss Paimon in Mondstadt."

(TL/N: give him a head 🙈)

Shao Yun was surprised. What do you mean I don't want money? Who told you that?

But in the end, he just smiled faintly. After all, he had more than enough Mora to travel Teyvat with Lumine several times over, so he really didn't need to worry about money.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going. I still need to accompany Lumine to the Cathedral," Shao Yun said, standing up to leave.

Jean, hearing Shao Yun mention the Cathedral, had an idea of their purpose. She remembered the matter of the Holy Lyre and had already informed the Church, so they shouldn't cause any trouble.

She reminded him, "Regarding the Holy Lyre, I've already informed the Church. They won't give you any trouble."

Shao Yun nodded in thanks. Just as he was about to push the door open and leave, he suddenly remembered that a few days ago, Barbara had come to see Jean because of the Raptor incident. Although Barbara had claimed it was official business, Shao Yun suspected from her slip-ups that she really wanted to see Jean.

So, Shao Yun stopped at the door, turned back, and asked Jean, "Aren't you coming?"

Jean was taken aback, looking at Shao Yun in confusion. Why would she go to the Cathedral?

"Me?" she asked, pointing at herself.

Shao Yun, seeing Jean's reaction, smiled and briefly recounted the incident from a few days ago.

"A few days ago, I saw a nun standing at your door but didn't come in. Don't you want to go see her?"

After saying this, he described Barbara's appearance.

Jean, hearing Shao Yun's description, realized it was her sister, Barbara.

Her heart stirred, thinking this might be a good opportunity for them to meet.

Shao Yun observed Jean's reaction and saw a flicker of nervousness and anticipation in her eyes. Clearly, she wanted to see her sister immediately.

Jean stood up, seemingly ready to follow Shao Yun to the Cathedral.

"Let's go."

Just as Shao Yun was about to push open the office door, Jean suddenly paused and sat back down in her chair.

She smiled wryly and shook her head, saying to Shao Yun, "Forget it. I still have work to do. I won't go."

(TL/N: meh.. coward)

Shao Yun, seeing this, understood that Jean had her reasons for not going to see Barbara directly.

So, he casually said, "I remember that nun seemed to have official business to discuss with you, but I sent her away. If it's delayed too long..."

He fabricated an excuse to try to change Jean's mind.

Sure enough, as soon as Jean heard it was official business, she immediately stood up, her expression serious.

"Why didn't you say so earlier? I'll go with you," Jean said, seemingly scolding Shao Yun but with a hint of urgency in her voice.

Shao Yun, seeing Jean's reaction, couldn't help but sigh at the awkwardness between these sisters. They clearly cared for each other but couldn't acknowledge it due to various reasons.

He shook his head, exhaled a breath of air, and decided to help them out.

Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Jean left the Knights of Favonius headquarters and headed toward the square in front of the Cathedral.

At that moment, Venti was taking a break from playing his enchanting melodies. His voice, like a babbling brook, narrated a newly heard story.

He sang the story in the style of a bard, attracting a crowd of citizens.

"Lord Barbatos sent his second familiar, a three-headed, eight-armed demon king, to subdue the wolves from the north and bring the warm breeze back to the land of Mondstadt..."

Venti's singing echoed across the square, and the crowd cheered for his performance.

This story was based on Shao Yun's massacre of the Fatui the previous day, embellished with mythical elements.

If Shao Yun heard Venti describing him like this, given his personality, he would probably create a second-generation Anemo Archon or at least demand royalties.

Just as Venti was about to capitalize on the momentum and tell another story based on the Honorary Knight's battle with the dragon, a white figure flew over from the distance.

Venti, seeing the Mora everyone had tossed on the ground, decided he had earned enough for his evening drinks and quickly ended his performance.

As the crowd dispersed, Paimon excitedly called out to Venti, "Venti, we're here!"

Following Paimon's call, Lumine, Shao Yun, and Jean appeared in the square.

Venti, seeing them, pocketed the money and smiled. "I'll be right there!"

He packed up his lyre and quickly joined the group.

With everyone gathered, just as they were about to head to the Cathedral, Shao Yun suddenly remembered something.

According to the original plot, the Holy Lyre would be destroyed by the Abyss Mage. If they returned the damaged lyre to the Church, wouldn't the nuns turn into battle-ready warriors wielding greatswords to attack them?

At this thought, Shao Yun stopped and called out to everyone.

"By the way, about the Holy Lyre..."

As soon as Shao Yun spoke, the others were stunned, their faces showing panic as they stammered.

Shao Yun, seeing their expressions, inwardly groaned. His guess had been right.

Reluctantly, Lumine took out the damaged Holy Lyre for Shao Yun to inspect.

The strings were broken, the body covered in cracks, and it looked as if it had been slashed and burned.

Shao Yun stared at the ruined Holy Lyre, pressing hard on his philtrum to keep from fainting.

After a minute, he recovered and asked in a low voice, filled with horror, "Oh my God! Thank goodness I asked. My heavens! Were you really planning to return this to the Church like this?"

Shao Yun pointed at the ruin in Lumine's hand and said to the others, "If we show this, we'll be wanted within five minutes! Even with Jean's protection, we'd be lucky to leave with our bodies intact, you know?"

Shao Yun was filled with despair, already planning to take Lumine and Paimon and flee to Liyue on his "carrot."

But then he thought, since it's just a lyre, why not find a similar one to replace it? When they first got it, it didn't look special anyway.

At this thought, Shao Yun's face lit up. He originally wanted to ask Venti, but seeing his unreliable demeanor, he turned to Jean instead.

"Acting Grand Master Jean, are there any second-hand shops in Mondstadt where we can find a similar lyre to pass off as the real one?"

Jean was deeply shocked by Shao Yun's idea. In her mind, searching for a replacement Holy Lyre in a second-hand shop was like looking for a specific grain of sand in the vast ocean—both insane and impractical.

She couldn't help but frown and offered a more practical solution.

"How about we go to the 'Glory of the Winds'? Even if we have to buy one, we should get a decent one."

Jean suggested going to Mondstadt's luxury shop, "Glory of the Winds," to find a similar lyre.

This was a more realistic choice, ensuring the quality of the lyre while avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Shao Yun, hearing this, slapped his thigh and nodded in agreement. Jean's idea was indeed more reliable than his own.

No wonder she's the Acting Grand Master—she thinks big!

So, everyone changed direction and prepared to head to "Glory of the Winds."

However, at that moment, Venti suddenly spoke up.

"Actually, I have a way. Give me the lyre," he said calmly, taking the damaged Holy Lyre from Lumine's hands.

Venti gently stroked the lyre, and a stream of Anemo light swirled around it.

The light danced like a spirit around the lyre, and as it shimmered, the once-ruined Holy Lyre was instantly restored to its original state, looking as good as new.

Paimon, seeing this, was stunned. She asked in amazement, "Venti, if you can fix things like this, why are you still a bard? Just open a repair shop. You could make a fortune!"

However, Venti, seeing Paimon's admiring gaze, looked apologetic. He scratched his head awkwardly and admitted, "I can't actually fix things. This is just an illusion, and it's very unstable."

Hearing this, Shao Yun was utterly speechless. He slapped his forehead, thinking, This is even less reliable than finding a replacement at a second-hand shop! What are you even doing, causing trouble at a time like this?

He lowered his voice and said to Venti, "Venti, didn't you say you'd grant me two wishes? I counted the city gate as one. Now, I want you to fulfill my second wish."

Venti was confused. "Huh? What wish?"

Shao Yun glared at him, his eyes blazing with anger. "My second wish is to kill you!" With that, he stepped forward and grabbed Venti by the neck, shaking him back and forth.

Although he wasn't using much force, his intensity was intimidating.

Lumine and Jean quickly stepped in to separate the two.

Shao Yun, barely holding back his anger, whispered threateningly, "If this thing gets exposed, and the people of Mondstadt get angry, I'll use you as a shield and fight my way out with Lumine!"

Venti, seeing this, chuckled mischievously and hid behind Lumine, saying casually, "I can guarantee it won't be exposed for a day. Once we return it, it's out of our hands. What happens after that isn't our problem."

Venti's words made sense. Better you die than me die. As long as they were safe, it didn't matter who took the fall at the Church.

Hearing this, Shao Yun finally relaxed, though he still snorted coldly.

"You drunkard, why didn't you say so earlier!"

Venti whistled playfully and replied, "You didn't ask!"

Shao Yun, hearing this, raised his fist as if to hit Venti.

"You still dare to talk back!"